Abu Dhabi launches ‘One Billion Steps Challenge’ for healthier lifestyle

ABU DHABI / WAM

Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) has collaborated with the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Department of Community Development, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the fitness app STEPPI to launch an
interactive challenge that aims to encourage individuals to collectively walk one billion steps.
The challenge has to be completed by the end of the 9th International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) Congress that will be held in Abu Dhabi.
Aligned with ISPAH’s theme of “Making Every Move Count,” the challenge will run for six weeks from September 23 October 26 and bring together thousands of people across the wider local communities to help achieve the target, encouraging people to be more active.
The challenge aims to attract the participation of over 1,000 visitors across the world who will attend the 9th edition of the congress, which will run from October 23-26 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
People can download the free STEPPI app and track their progress on a dedicated website with a live counter displaying the accumulated steps taken. It will also include recommendations on different activities individuals can do to take as many steps as possible, to get the chance to enter a draw to win Etihad Airways tickets.
Matar Al Nuaimi, Director-General of ADPHC, said, “As Abu Dhabi prepares to host the International Society for Physical Activity and Health Congress in October, this is an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to not only step up and get involved and take as many steps as possible through frequent exercise but also showcase to the world how active our communities are across the nation.”
Prof Jasper Schipperijn, President of the International Society for Physical Activity and Health, said, “This is a very exciting initiative and involves all of the community in the lead up to this important congress and raises awareness of the importance of physical activity amongst the community. I highly recommend everyone to take part in this challenge and I am sure it will be a huge success, all the very best to all participants.”